MINNA, NIGERIA – A middle-aged man, Stephen Jiya, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the brutal killing of his mother, Mrs. Comfort Jiya. The incident occurred in Minna, Niger State, where the victim, a former Principal of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Sabon Wuse and Maryam Babangida Girls’ Science College, was set on fire by her son on December 20, 2021.
Stephen Jiya, who is said to be a drug addict, confessed to pouring petrol on his mother and setting her ablaze in their residence in the Darusalam Area of Minna. Despite efforts to save her, Mrs. Comfort Jiya succumbed to her injuries after being rushed to the General Hospital in Minna and later transferred to another medical facility.
The prosecution formally charged Jiya under Section 221 of the Penal Code Law, which carries a death penalty if found guilty. The judge, Justice Halima Abdulmalik, found Jiya guilty of culpable homicide and emphasized that the evidence proved his responsibility for the killing of his mother. Despite Jiya’s plea for mercy and promises to change, the judge imposed the sentence of death by hanging, stating that the punishment for culpable homicide under the law is death.
The case has generated shock and dismay in the community, as witnesses, including family members, gave testimony against Jiya during the trial. The tragic story of a son murdering his own mother has deeply impacted the residents of Minna, raising questions about mental health and drug addiction in the society.
In conclusion, Stephen Jiya has been convicted and sentenced to death for the brutal killing of his mother, Mrs. Comfort Jiya, in Minna, Niger State. The case highlights the devastating impact of family violence and the complexities of addressing drug addiction and mental health issues in communities.